“Insulin is a hormone made by a gland called the pancreas. The pancreas is located behind the stomach.” Pg.1
“Whenever you eat food, your body digests it (breaks it down) into smaller parts: vitamins, minerals, protein, sugar (called “glucose”), and fat. Your body then uses these nutrients for energy. Glucose is the body's major source of energy. Insulin is the hormone that helps your body change the glucose from your food into energy your body can use.” Pg.1
“If your body does not make enough insulin, or if your body has difficulty using the insulin that it makes, the glucose from your food does not get changed into energy. Instead, the glucose stays in your blood, causing your blood glucose (also called “blood sugar”) to rise.” Pg.1
“High blood sugar is a problem because it can cause serious damage to the body. Some of the most serious, long term problems are loss of vision, kidney problems, heart problems, and strokes. This kind of damage happens slowly over many years and can be delayed or prevented if you take good care of your diabetes.” Pg.1
“Choices for how you can take your insulin include: Disposable syringes (needles).” Pg.1
“An insulin pen. The insulin pen looks like a large pen. It is filled with insulin and is used with disposable needle tips.” Pg.1
“An insulin pump. “The pump” delivers insulin continuously just under the skin. It is a small device (about the size of a pager) that you wear all day long. It gives you insulin throughout the day through a tiny needle. Many young people with diabetes choose to use the pump because they feel it gives them more freedom than other methods do.” Pg.1
"Diabetes." Center of Young Women's Youth. HONcode, 15 June 2006. Web. 23 Aug. 2010. http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/diabetes.html.